Some children have more complex medical needs and we can support them through our children’s community nursing service. This is a specialist team of children’s nurses and child health carers who work with children and young people aged 0 – 18 years living in Northumberland and North Tyneside.
The service can be involved at different times throughout a child or young person’s life, for example following a hospital admission, during a period of illness or when a course of treatment is needed.
The nature and length of a child’s care will depend on their specific needs and support from the service may be anything from a few days to several months or until the young person reaches adulthood and is then supported by to adult services.
About our service
We offer advice and support for those with serious, life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. We provide nursing care and support can be in the form of home visits, supportive telephone calls and referrals into other services. We are actively involved in the Special Educational Needs (SEND) process and contribute to educational healthcare plans. We also support young people transitioning into adult services.
We also provide training for parents/carers in home, educational and respite settings.
Access and referrals to the service
Anyone involved with a child or young person’s care (including a parent or carer), where the child has a complex health need, can refer the child on to the service.
Following referral, a children’s community nurse will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment to assess your child’s nursing needs. A care plan specific to them will be agreed, where possible, with your child and yourself as their parent or carer. This plan will be reviewed and changed as required.
We accept referrals from primary, secondary, and tertiary care. We also accept referrals directly from families and carers. We support children and young people with a variety of complex health needs such as:
- A tracheostomy and airway management
- Home oxygen
- Enteral feeding
- Wound management
- Palliative care
- Short-break home-based respite
- Medication management for acute and chronic conditions
- Central venous catheter and long-line management
- Training to help quicker discharge home from hospital
- Complex cardiac, respiratory, metabolic, endocrine and neurological conditions
- Supporting pre-term babies discharged requiring oxygen therapy
Contact us
Telephone:
On call mobile: 07702690059
Email: CCN
Our hours of work are 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm Bank holidays. We do not offer a weekend service.
Preparing for adulthood
If a young person between 14 to 18 years has complex and on-going physical health needs, we will work with you, your family, and services involved in your care such as doctors, specialist nurses to consider what support you might need in adulthood. This information is documented in your health transition summary care plan and a hospital passport which includes key information about your care. Young people who are 14 and over with a learning disability are entitled to a free yearly health check with your GP. We will write to you when you are due a health check.
School nurse contacts
- Beacon Hill School, Southlands School, Silverdale School, Silverdale Primary ARP –
0191 6433005 - Castle School, Northumberland Church of England Academy, Josephine Butler Campus –
01670 844322 - Cleaswell Hill School
01670 823182 - Hexham Priory School –
01434 613440 - The Grove School, Berwick Upon Tweed –
01289 306390 - Woodlawn School and Sixth Form, Beacon Hill Sixth Form, Melrose Centre & Benton Dene School –
0191 6432597 - Team Lead, Elaine Davies – 07795413396